Director of Maintenance and Construction

Worlds of Fun LLC; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Worlds of Fun LLC in Kansas City is seeking a Director of Maintenance and Construction to lead park-wide maintenance, safety, and capital projects, translating corporate initiatives into disciplined local execution.

You will partner with park management, engineers, and contractors to ensure safe, reliable operations, manage the budget, and optimize cost structures while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in maintenance operations.
• Valid driver's license.
• AIMS and/or NAARSO certifications preferred.
• Executive-level communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven track record in project management, delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Experience hiring and developing senior leaders.
• Customer-focused mindset supporting guests and associates.
• Data-driven with analytics, reporting, and performance metrics.
• Leadership presence with accountability and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Sets clear expectations and directs all maintenance activities park-wide.
• Champions Associate Experience within Maintenance Division.
• Leads resolution of complex maintenance challenges in collaboration with partners.
• Oversees division operating budget and capital projects.
• Partners with corporate engineering and local architects on property enhancements.
• Identifies and implements process improvements to drive efficiency.
• Ensures policy, regulatory, and safety compliance park-wide.
• Advances safety culture and performance.
• Aligns divisional priorities with enterprise objectives and delivers results.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by Park President.

Skills

Executive communication

Project management

Talent assessment

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven leadership

Safety leadership

Strategic thinking

Accountability

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Overview:

The Director of Maintenance and Construction provides enterprise-aligned leadership for all Worlds of Fun attractions, facilities, and grounds maintenance operations, ensuring uncompromising safety and best-in-class guest experience. This role drives the strategic translation of corporate initiatives into disciplined local execution, balancing operational excellence with financial performance. As a senior leader, the Director shapes the culture for both safety and associate experience, optimizes workforce and cost structures, and sets clear, results-oriented direction. In close partnership with park management, the Director ensures the safe, reliable, and compliant operation and construction of all park assets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Sets clear expectations and directs all maintenance activities across the park and attractions, including internal teams, cross-divisional partners, and contractors.
• People Leadership & Culture: Champions the Associate Experience within the Maintenance Division, fostering a culture of communication, accountability, ownership, and recognition.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Leads the resolution of complex maintenance challenges, collaborating with other parks and ride manufacturers to deliver timely, effective solutions.
• Financial Acumen: Oversees development and execution of the division's operating budget and capital projects, ensuring alignment with financial and operational goals.
• Project Management: Partner with corporate engineering, local architects, and engineers to enhance the property, including budgeting, prioritization, and monitoring spending inclusive of labor expense and leased services.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies and implements process and procedural enhancements to drive efficiency, reliability, and performance. Extract, analyze, and report KPIs related to asset maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle performance.
• Policy & Compliance: Ensures consistent enforcement of company policies, regulatory requirements, and operational standards. Lead the implementation, governance, and ongoing optimization of a park-wide CMMS, ensuring consistent use across all assets of the property.
• Safety Leadership: Upholds and advances company safety standards, proactively driving improvements in safety culture and performance.
• Strategic Alignment & Accountability: Aligns divisional priorities with enterprise objectives while delivering measurable results.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Park President.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, technical certification, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in maintenance operations or a related field.
• Valid driver's license.
• AIMS and/or NAARSO certifications preferred.
• Demonstrated executive-level communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven track record in project management, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Strong talent assessment and selection capabilities, with experience hiring and developing senior leaders.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to effectively support and engage both guests and associates.
• Data-driven leader with experience leveraging analytics, reporting, and performance metrics to drive results.
• Demonstrated leadership presence with a strong sense of accountability, ownership, and integrity.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a dynamic operating environment.
• Track record of fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

The Director of Maintenance and Construction demonstrates strategic leadership by aligning long-term planning with organizational objectives, ensuring disciplined execution of projects on time and within budget. This role fosters a high-performing, positive culture that strengthens teamwork and develops leadership capability across the maintenance organization. Leveraging data and analytics, the Director drives informed decision-making, enhances operational performance, and promotes clear, effective communication to enable collaboration and resolve complex challenges.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The Director of Maintenance and Construction balances executive-level administrative responsibilities with active field leadership across the park. The role includes office-based planning, budgeting, and operational oversight, alongside routine on-site inspections requiring mobility across varied terrain. Responsibilities involve engagement with vendors, contractors, and internal teams in both indoor and outdoor environments, with exposure to a range of weather conditions. This position requires the ability to safely navigate the park environment while occasionally performing physical tasks, ensuring effective oversight of maintenance and construction operations and adherence to safety standards.